The Cowichan Valley School District has decided to weigh in on the BC Transit Strike citing the effects it’s having on students and families.
According to a staff report, public transit is critical in supporting education across the valley, and the impact of the strike has been severely affecting students facing financial and logistical challenges.
The report says while the effect of a lack of transit is impacting many across the region, it’s having a severe impact on students enrolled in three programs being offered, including Cowichan Valley Open Learning Centre, Distributed Learning Program, and International Education program.
Staff say most of the programs have suffered with lack of enrollment because students are having to find alternate modes of transportation and leading to finding another educational option because of the lack of transit.
Recommendations were made to the board that the district write a letter to the Minister of Labour encouraging their support in obtaining a solution to end the strike.
In an effort to help end the months-long strike, the provincial government has appointed mediator Vince Ready to meet with the two sides and submit a report.
